Amazing Adventures Travel Dives Dewi Nusantara

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Amazing Adv-eliKirsten Treais on board the Dewi Nusantara
March 2014

The trip started with beautiful weather and lots of anticipation for what lay ahead.  Some of the guests had travelled with each other before but now everyone was coming together for the first time.  After a stay in Jakarta we boarded the Sirwijaya flight via Makassar to Sorong.  We were met by Risko, one of the dive team, with a big smile and a warm welcome.  Our bags were loaded into the waiting bevy of taxis and we all split up for our trip to Je Meridien for our 3 hours wait to board the boat.  We could help ourselves to the buffet breakfast and got to mix and mingle and get acquainted with the people we were going to be spending the next 10 days.

Finally we loaded into the taxis again for the trip to the harbor and tender ride out to the Dewi Nusantara (Goddess of the Archipelago).  Dewi is pronounced “Day-Wee”.  She is a beauty and that is for sure.  At 170 foot and taking only 18 guests there is so much space that it really doesn’t feel like a typical dive boat but instead a floating hotel.  The cabins are huge with beds that can be twin or pushed together to make a King Bed with lots of storage for clothes.

Upon arrival we were met by our fearless Cruise Director, Wendy, and her team of amazing dive guides, Yan, Hendri and Risko.  The guests were anxious and enthusiastic with anticipation for phenomenal diving which was equally matched by the entire crew.  The warm, friendly and most importantly knowledgeable dive staff gave us a great sense of the adventures and discoveries we were going to be experiencing over the next 10 days.  Each day was met with fantastic underwater surprises.

Once back topside, the crew had sumptuous meals, snacks and an assortment of drinks prepared for us.  Additionally, the warm towel and neck massages provided after each dive was a very unique treat.  A special warm drink prepared by Henrick awaited us after each night dive.

The phenomenal underwater life exceeded our expectations due to the supreme diversity of life forms encountered.  Hard corals, soft corals, enormous schools of fish, manta rays, nudibranchs, gigantic bumphead parrot fish, woobegons, Epilite (walking sharks), black, white & grey reef sharks and, of course, the elusive – amazingly adorable – pygmy seahorses.  The sea life on display for our photographic, video and viewing pleasure routinely resulted in sensory overload for us.  The unanimous agreement amongst the divers aboard the Dewi is that we will be back to enjoy the spacious first class accommodations, pampered treatment and spectacular diving opportunities offered by her fabulous crew.

Besides booking the Dewi for interested divers, Kirsten is leading another exclusive charter on the vessel in 2015! With over 1,500 dives under her weight belt, Kirsten has been everywhere and is a valuable agent in the dive travel world to make sure your dive trip is the perfect fit.

All of Raja Ampat onboard the Dewi Nusantara / Dates: January 21 – February 1, 2015

Price: $5,775 – $6,775 per person, double occupancy, cruise only

Contact: Kirsten Treais
59 Shell Road, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Toll Free: 888 76-AMAZING (762-6294)
Phone: 415 462-1311
Fax: 415 901-2624

e-mail kirsten@amazingadventurestravel.com

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Announcing FitDiver® Magazine

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

FitDiver-200PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Gretchen M. Ashton
Telephone: 760-271-6069
Email: gretchen@scubafit.com

[fit-di-ver] – a person who strives and achieves the required level of fitness in order to stay underwater for long periods of time and adapt to the elements presented.

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA – FitDiver® Magazine published by Gretchen M. Ashton of ScubaFit® debuts with a complimentary online issue. The special edition, Training for Palau, is found in the newsstand Water Sports and Fitness categories. Beginning with the next issue the quarterly publication will be available for a $19.95 annual subscription, $6.95 single copy purchase and on-demand hard copy printing.

FitDiver® Magazine features workouts that prepare readers for water sport activities and destinations.  Articles include nutrition and recipes, travel fitness tips, and motivation. Readers new to diving, water sports or fitness will find entry level programs for foundational fitness and safety in the water. Experienced readers and professionals will be challenged to learn something new and improve performance above and below the surface.  The ScubaFit® philosophy and sound research-based content is presented with full-color pages most of which are photographed by Ashton.

Gretchen-200Gretchen M. Ashton, CFT, SFT, SFN, NBFE, owner of ScubaFit® and co-author of the ScubaFit® Diver certification course, launched the new publication as a continuation of her dedication to improving the health and fitness of others. Gretchen diver, paddler, sailor and competitive weight lifter, is an International Sports Sciences Association Elite Trainer and World Champion Athlete.  She has been training, coaching and writing since 1996 and began her focus on water sports in 2006. Gretchen has been widely published including California Diver, X-Ray Magazine and Alert Diver. She presents at water sports events and dive clubs, privately trains fitness clients and teaches the Scuba Fit® Diver course which is approved by both fitness and diving agencies.  Gretchen is always looking for ways to bring fitness to water sports enthusiasts. She collaborated with Phrogger Interactive to develop FitDiver® mobile apps available in Google Play and the App Store / iTunes.

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Carmel Bay Divers Receives 2014 Best of San Jose Award

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

DIA_RETAIL_LOGO-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carmel Bay Divers
San Jose, CA
Contact: John Foxhall

San Jose Award Program Honors the Achievement

SAN JOSE July 22, 2014 — Carmel Bay Divers has been selected for the 2014 Best of San Jose Award in the Scuba & Skin Diving Instruction category by the San Jose Award Program.

Each year, the San Jose Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the San Jose area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2014 San Jose Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the San Jose Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About San Jose Award Program

The San Jose Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the San Jose area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The San Jose Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: San Jose Award Program

CONTACT:
San Jose Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardclaim.org
URL: http://www.awardclaim.org

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Debra Helms Selected to Participate in Elite Travel Event

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Debbie 2FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Roatan Charter, Inc.
Contact: Debra Helms
debbie@roatan.com
Phone: (352)588-4131
Fax: (352)588-4158

Travel Weekly chooses top travel professionals to participate in Global Travel Marketplace 2014  San Antonio, FL – Travel Weekly, the leading travel industry publication, is proud to announce that Debra Helms was selected from among hundreds of applicants to attend the Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) which took place at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale, Florida July 9 – 11, 2014. GTM is a 3-day appointment-only event for travel agents and suppliers seeking to conduct business face-to-face.

In an industry of thousands of travel entrepreneurs, only 103 North American applicants met the strict requirements to attend, which included booking a minimum of $1 million in annual sales and maintaining a global book of business. More than 11,000 appointments were requested, 5,316 face-to-face meetings were conducted and 144 presentation sessions were hosted during the 3-day event.

“The agents who attended this event were the cream of the crop. The expertise and experience they offer their clients is second to none,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Vice President of Events, Travel Group, Northstar Travel Media. “GTM provided the platform for these key travel industry professionals to network with and be part of a collaborative and like-minded community of agents and global suppliers who all have the same goal: To build and grow their business.”

“At Travel Weekly, we support the travel agent community 100% and we understand the value that a travel agent provides,” said Bob Sullivan, Executive Vice President, Travel Group, Northstar Travel Media. “To show our commitment, we provide a variety of different programs and events throughout the year like GTM which allow agents to enhance their careers and businesses.”

ABOUT TRAVEL WEEKLY:

Travel Weekly is the most influential provider of news, research, opinion and analysis to the North American travel trade marketplace. In addition to a weekly print publication, TravelWeekly.com — updated several times daily — is the most-visited industry website. Travel Weekly is a division of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Northstar Travel Media, the largest business-to-business travel publisher in the world.

 

 

 

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Powerful New Sea Dragon 1200 & 200 Dive Lights by SeaLife Cameras

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Sea-Dragon-Light-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joshua Giomour
Phone: 856-866-9191 Ext 135
jgilmour@pioneer-research.com

A Dive, Photo and Video Light: The powerful new
Sea Dragon 1200 and 2000 Dive Lights with Flex Connect Handle

Moorestown, NJ – SeaLife recently introduced its Sea Dragon Dive Lights, combining the popular, compact Sea Dragon 1200 and 2000 light heads with the new Flex-Connect Handle.  Divers can instantly switch from a handheld dive light to a powerful photo/video light by mounting the light head onto any Flex-Connect arm, grip or tray.  “Ease and versatility is what SeaLife stands for,” said Karl Schuster, SeaLife’s Dive Sales Manager. “All of the compact components travel easily and allow divers to adapt to any underwater adventure.”

The new Flex-Connect Handle provides a comfortable and ergonomic solution for transforming Sea Dragon lights into a handheld dive light that’s perfect for exploring wrecks, illuminating caves, and diving at night. In addition to providing powerful lighting for underwater photography, Sea Dragon Photo/Video Lights were designed for use as dedicated dive lights, with features including a wide 100-degree beam, one button control, and three power levels.

The small handle with rubberized grip fits into the palm of a diver’s hand, allowing comfortable underwater control of the light. Using SeaLife’s Flex-Connect mounting system, Sea Dragon light heads click instantly into the handle and can be removed with the push of a button. The recessed release button ensures that the light head will be removed only when intended.

The Flex-Connect Handle accepts many Flex-Connect accessories, and can be transformed into a grip for GoPro cameras when combined with the Flex-Connect Adapter for GoPro. By attaching a GoPro camera to the Flex-Connect adapter and clicking it into place on the handle, the camera can be comfortably held in hand, above or below the surface.

The Flex-Connect Handle is now available at dive and photo dealers, and can be purchased as a single Flex-Connect accessory, or in a packaged set with the Sea Dragon 2000 Lumen Light or Sea Dragon 1200 Lumen Light at a savings over purchasing the items individually.

Flex-Connect Handle (Item SL998)                   MSRP $29.95

Sea Dragon 1200 Dive Light (Item SL985)       MSRP $349.95

Sea Dragon 2000 Dive Light (Item SL986)       MSRP $449.95

About SeaLife:

SeaLife underwater cameras, lights and accessories are made and distributed by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ.   SeaLife cameras were first introduced in 1993.  In 2000 SeaLife made the first digital underwater camera. In 2007 SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm and accessory system. SeaLife Cameras, Lighting and Flex-Connect Accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.

For more information visit www.SeaLife-Cameras.com.

 

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Underwater Music Festival to Rock the Florida Keys

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

UW-MusicFest-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2014

30th Annual Underwater Music Festival to Rock the Lower Keys’ Reef – July 12, 2014

LOOE KEY, Florida Keys —Divers and snorkelers can explore a portion of the continental United States’ only living coral barrier reef while rocking to a sub-sea concert during the 30th annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival.

Set for Saturday, July 12, the quirky song fest takes place at Looe Key Reef, an area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary approximately 6 miles south of Big Pine Key. For the past three decades, the event has drawn several hundred divers and snorkelers each year to immerse themselves in the colorful marine environment.

Themed “Diving with the Stars,”the marine musical event is set for 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. and staged by Keys radio station US 1 Radio 104.1 FM. The music is broadcast underwater via Lubell Laboratory speakers suspended beneath boats positioned above the reef.

The concert’s play list typically ranges from humpback whale recordings to ocean-themed songs such as Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins,” Donovan’s “Atlantis” and the Beatles ’“Octopus’s Garden.”

13UWMusic2-200

Photo by Bob Care of the Florida Keys News Bureau

Participants might even spot whimsically costumed divers or “mermaids” tooting their own horns on the ocean floor— pretending to play underwater musical instruments like a trom-bone fish and clambourine sculpted by Florida Keys artist August Powers. They can also glimpse Powers’ new “Belushi Blue,” a guitar-like fish sporting a hat and shades.

Art and ocean lovers can meet Powers and view his creations, all combining elements of marine life and traditional instruments, during a pre-festival party set for 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 11. The event takes place at Artists in Paradise Gallery in Big Pine Key’s Key Deer Shopping Plaza, just off the Overseas Highway at mile marker 30. Cost is $10 per person if reserved by Wednesday, July 9, or $15 per person at the door.

Divers and snorkelers interested in participating in the Underwater Music Festival can reserve space on boats run by Lower Keys dive operators or launch their own boats from public ramps and marinas in the area.

As well as offering unique enjoyment for dive enthusiasts, the festival carries a serious message of reef preservation. The broadcast incorporates diver awareness announcements emphasizing ways to enjoy the reef while minimizing impacts on the underwater environment.

Event information: www.lowerkeyschamber.com

Lower Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys or 305-872-2411

Social: facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest • twitter.com/thefloridakeys • youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV

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SeaLife Cameras Introduces New Sea Dragon Underwater Digital Flash

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

SL735-DC1400-200FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Joshua Gilmour
856-866-9191 ext. 135
jgilmour@pioneer-research.com

SeaLife® introduces new Sea Dragon™ Underwater Digital Flash

Moorestown, NJ – SeaLife® Underwater Cameras introduces the new powerful and more compact Sea Dragon digital underwater flash for use with all SeaLife camera models as well as any camera that has a built-in flash. The Sea Dragon Flash is part of SeaLife’s new Sea Dragon lighting system with Flex-Connect™ grips, arms, and trays that allow assembly and disassembly in seconds. The flash, as part of a complete lighting system including camera, batteries and charger, fits in the smallest and lightest camera gear case ever seen in underwater photography, making travel incredibly easy.

The Sea Dragon Flash is powered by 4 AA batteries that allow 150 flashes.

The flash can be hand held with its Flex-Connect grip or mounted to one or more extendable flexible arms and trays that attach to the standard ¼-20 tripod mount of any SeaLife or other camera.   A Dual Tray holds two flashes or a flash and light combination, and a third light can be mounted to the cold-shoe of the SeaLife DC1400 camera and most other cameras in underwater housings.

Not only the flash, but also its battery compartment, is permanently waterproof rated to 200 feet/60 meter – so in the event of improper closure of the compartment, the light unit and electronics are not compromised.

The increased power allows a wide 80 degree beam angle or an even wider 100 degree beam angle with the included diffuser.

The rugged flexible arms, trays, and grips do not use nuts or bolts, but easily click together and can also be quickly taken apart with the push of a button. This means that a complete system of a camera, flash, two lights, tray with dual arms and grips, batteries and charger fit in a compact lightweight case which can easily be packed in carry-on luggage – a great advantage with today’s airline baggage policies.

In close-up macro photography, the flexible arms allow bending of the lights or flash 100 degrees and within inches of the subject for creative light effects. Alternatively, the Flex Arms allow spreading the lights far away from the camera to avoid backscatter in low visibility waters.

The new Sea Dragon Flash also supplies ample power in a more compact body and fits into the cold shoe of any camera housing or clicks to arms and grips of the Flex-Connect system. Adjusting the flash to just the right brightness can easily be done with the large controls or the flash can simply be set to Auto Mode. The auto-sync feature reads and memorizes the pre-flash of any camera. The 2014 version of the SeaLife DC1400 features an easy-setup mode for the Sea Dragon flash or lights in any combination. The lights can even turn off automatically while the flash fires if desired.

The new ultra-compact system will not only appeal to the advanced pro, but also to the beginner, who in the past has been often intimidated by bulky, complex systems. Whether the flash is mounted on top of the camera or on its side, handling and control is made easier than ever before.

The Sea Dragon Flash is available at dive and photo dealers at a list price of $399.95 (Item # SL963).

About SeaLife Cameras:

SeaLife Underwater Cameras are made by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ and were first introduced in 1993. In 2000 SeaLife made the first digital underwater camera. In 2007 SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm and accessory system. SeaLife Cameras and Lighting Systems are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world. For more information visit www.SeaLife-Cameras.com

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Last Month To Sign NAUI BOD Recall Petition

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

NAUI-Member-200

by Gene Muchanski NAUI 3821 L
Executive Director
Dive Industry Association, Inc.

A dedicated group of over 400 NAUI Instructors have come together to take back control of their Association by having a Board of Directors Recall Petition put on the ballot for the next NAUI Board of Directors Election.  The group has been successful in seating three duly elected Board Members that were elected last year and unseating three Board Members who’s terms had expired.  The group petitioned and won the right to validated the results of the last election after six Board Members voted to invalidate the election in a 6 to 3 vote.  The new Board of Directors majority is working hard to ensure that NAUI’s good reputation is promoted to the entire diving industry in a professional manner.  They have proposed a number organizational changes that will help NAUI Worldwide regain some of its prominence in the diving industry.  The signers of the recall petition are holding past board members accountable for decisions that were made to invalidate the Members’ annual democratic election.  TIMING IS CRITICAL.  The group would like to complete the process by the end of June.

The petition stems from an attempt to invalidate the last NAUI Board of Directors Election.  Immediately following the attempt to invalidate the election by the Board, 144 NAUI Members petitioned HQ (see Blog

NAUI Members – Save NAUI: A Call for Integrity

 ) and attended the Annual Members Meeting in Tampa, Florida. Dissatisfaction was expressed until the BOD Election was validated and the three duly elected Board Members were seated on the NAUI Board.  Three Board Members who voted to invalidate the election were not reelected and their terms expired.  Attention has now focused on three remaining Board Members who voted to invalidate the election.  The Recall Petition is designed to put the recall notice on the ballot in the next election to remove them from office.

A group of NAUI Instructors have launched a web site N W Member Network,  for the benefit of all NAUI Instructors to freely communicate with each other.  So far, 383 NAUI Instructors subscribe to http://www.nwmNetwork.com  The group is looking to expand on its numbers to include every NAUI Instructor who wants to openly communicate with other NAUI Members.

All Voting NAUI Instructors are invited to subscribe to N W Member Network, sign up for this Blog, and sign the Recall Petition.  A united NAUI Membership makes the organization stronger and more competitive.

Posted in Industry, NAUI Matters, Training & Education | Leave a comment

Dive News Network Appoints Gene Muchanski Southeast Regional Correspondent

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Gene Muchanski

Gene-0314-200by Rick Stratton, President
Dive News Network

Gene Muchanski Joins Dive News Network as Southeast Dive News Regional Correspondent

Melbourne, FL, June 10, 2014 – Dive News Network, the parent company of Southeast Dive News, announced today that it has appointed Gene Muchanski as their Southeast Regional Correspondent.

Muchanski first became a Scuba Diver in 1967 and started working in the diving industry as a Scuba Diving Instructor in 1974.  Gene has combined his love of scuba diving, photography and writing to promote diving, watersports and adventure travel his entire life.  Gene was Ship’s Diver and Underwater Photographer on Nuclear Submarines while serving on Active duty in the U.S. Navy and has worked for major diving companies such as U.S. Divers, Oceanic, Action Plus and NAUI Worldwide. His career in the diving and business consulting industries span over 40 years.

As owner of his own Retail Dive Center, Muchanski realized how difficult it was to successfully market his Scubapro Franchise Dealership while keeping up with new marketing technology and working 80-100 hours per week.  Equipped with a Marketing Degree from the University of Connecticut and experience managing NAUI’s 250-store Pro Faculty Program, Gene went on to work as a Small Business Consultant at the University of Houston where he worked with hundreds of small business entrepreneurs to help them become more successful at starting, running and succeeding in their own businesses.

Gene Muchanski is currently the Executive Director of the Dive Industry Association and is on the Board of Directors of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Dive Industry Foundation.  Gene has made it his life’s work to promote a scuba and watersports lifestyle, and to teach small business entrepreneurs how to do the same.

Dive News Network President and Chief Operating Officer, Rick Stratton stated, “Gene is not only a wonderful example of someone who embraces an active watersport lifestyle, he is also a smart and intuitive businessman.  We heartily welcome him as our regional pro!”

Gene Muchanski remarked on his new assignment stating, “I would like to thank Rick Stratton for this opportunity to promote watersports and watersport businesses in the Southeast for Dive News Network.  The Southeast Region of the United States is the Boating, Fishing, Diving, Surfing, Tourism, and Watersports Capital of the World and no other publication on the planet promotes local activity like Dive News Network.  I strongly feel this strategic partnership between us will be a great benefit to the local watersports businesses and watersports enthusiasts alike.  I will do everything I possibly can to promote watersports activities in the Southeast Region to the best of my ability.”

Gene enjoys scuba diving, boating, photography and adventure travel.  He lives in Melbourne, Florida and can be reached directly at gene@diveindustry.net for more information about Southeast Dive News and diving activity in the southeast.

 

 

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Are Local Dive Shows Needed?

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Gene Muchanski
Patrick Hammer

Patrick Hammer

by Patrick Hammer, President
Scuba Emporium & Our World Underwater
June 3, 2014

Are Local Dive Shows Needed?

When I look back over the past 40 years that I have been in the dive industry, it amazes me how far we have come and then I wonder, what lies ahead?  Most of today’s divers don’t know that the first dive shows were local dive shows and that they were very small.  They basically were the divers’ off-season entertainment with a little education thrown in.  They were a way of divers getting together to talk about the past dive season, to plan for the next season and to see what new equipment was out there.

One might think, that after all these years and with the advent of the Internet that local dive shows have lost their value. They are expensive endeavors for all the parties involved.  Manufacturers and training agencies supporting the local shows have to budget well in advance to make a successful show.  The same is true for travel companies, publications and DIVE Centers. So how should we look at the local dive shows?

To put things in perspective one must first remember that almost all local dive shows support or are them selves supported by a not-for-profit. These non-profits do more than any one company can do to support the dive industry.  From New York to California, or for that matter even South America to Germany, England and elsewhere consumer dive shows are a big part of our industry and their benefits are far reaching. When you look at what the shows and non-profits have done alone for diving that is reason enough to support every show.  Just think how many children have been introduced to diving, how many careers have been kicked started by diving, and how many projects have been realized from grants from the shows and their not-for-profits.  Besides financial support local dive shows offer not-for-profits greater exposure than they could normally obtain on their own.

I original asked, “Were local dive shows needed?” The trend we are seeing with today’s dive stores is that the stores are not caring huge inventories. They are stocking only what they can turn quickly and as to other equipment or goods that a customer may want, well, they just order it when the customer asked for it.  With this new way of conducting business, the local dive show may be the ONLY way a manufacturer can display all their products.  As a retailer, I know that for weeks following a dive show people come in to see if we are stocking something they saw at the show. In many cases, we don’t have what they are looking for in stock, but we will of course order it for them.  This phenomenon is clear proof that local dive shows are a great avenue for the manufacturers to show off their products, gain exposure and increase their market share. This also works out well for the local dive stores who are dependents on the manufacturer’s support for their product lines.

What does the future hold and who should we focus on?   With nearly 250,000 Americans retiring every month, it should be known that SCUBA has become a dream come true for many of them.  Every dive show and dive store needs to focus on this group for the next few years. They have the time and money to dive but the dive industry as a whole most focus their attention on them otherwise they may be drawn to other outlets.  The importance of local dive shows can’t be under stressed here given that they generally spend more money in advertising dollars than all the dive stores combined in a given area.

If the dive shows can bring in just 10-percent of this group and make divers out of them, think what good that will do for the industry.  Training agencies will love the increase in certifications.  Equipment manufacturers will love the increase in sales.  However, the real winner here beside dive stores will be the travel destinations.  All consumers love going to the shows to plan their next travel holiday. It may be a trip to Bonne Terre Mines or the Caymans. It could be a liveaboard or the South Pacific.  It doesn’t matter which warm destination we are talking about, but this group of retired people or can we now call them potential customers are hot to dive and they are going to discover diving and all its beauty at a dive show.

Lastly what are the shows doing for the local diver? I have already touched on a few key points, but the dive shows get local divers motivated to dive and travel more. The shows offer educational and informative seminars, serious workshops and even film festivals that exalt our sport. From education, to equipment purchases, shows are a place for divers to communicate with other divers.

A few years ago I was at a show and someone mentioned that they keep seeing the same faces here.  It was not my place, but I wanted to tell them, that was great and that we as an industry should welcome these people returning year after year.  It demonstrated to me that dive shows work at keeping divers active in the sport. I always like to think of the Boston Sea a Rovers, one of the oldest dive shows, and what a great job they have done for all these years keeping hardy divers diving. I think that is something to be proud of.

Local dive shows are a needed and necessary part of our industry.   Without the support of all the players these shows cannot survive. To lose any show would be a step backwards.  Just look at the good that the shows do, and the support they give to every aspect of the industry

For fun, education, dive planning, equipment advice or just a great weekend be sure to support your local shows

Happy diving, see you at the next show!

 

 

Posted in Industry, Trade & Consumer Shows | 1 Comment